Vacuum vibrator



J. G. STEPHENSON AND F. W. NUERWELL.

VACUUM VIBRATOR.

APPUCATION FILED JULY 29.1921.

' 1,420,884. Patented June 27,1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 46 51 hi him EW. Nuetw ll,

wma r #5 v WITNE88E8 L m W26 ATTORNEYS- J. G. STEPHENSON AND F W. NUERWELL.

VACUUM VIBRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29,1921.

1 ,420,884, I Patented June 27, I922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- MW W26 11 TTORNEYS c rries;

JOHN GARNETT STEPHENSON AND FREE) W; NUERVTELL, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

VACUUM: VIBBATOR.

incense.

' To all to 7mm it may concern The present invention relates to vacuum vibrators and has for its object to provide a device of this character having kinesitherapeutic properties and which is especially designed for the purposeof improving the general health by improving or correcting poor circulationythe apparatus operating to this end by drawing'or inducing a flow of blood and other vital fluids to and through such parts of the body as may be poorlynourished.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character which is of simple and durable construction, reliable in operation, and easy inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention reside in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of, this specification, and inwhich:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pre ferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation the oscillating cylinder being shown in section for the sake of illustration;

Figure 3 is a top plan view;

Figure 4; is a detail view in transverse vertical section, illustrating the valve blockand the oscillating cylinder;

Figure 5'is a similar view of a slightly modified form;

Figure 6 is a similar view of another modified form; and

Figure 7 is a similar view of still another modified form.

Referring to the drawings wherein for the sake of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 1O designates a base orbed of suitable construction. A frame 11 upstands from the base or bed at one endthereof and is provided with a' flat face 12 machined or otherwise finished to present an extremely smooth surface.

Specification of Letters Extent. Patenfqgd J 2 7 1922 Application filed July 29,

1921. Serial No. 488,453.

An oscillating cylinder 15'having a closed end 16 and an open end 17 is mounted on the frame. The cylinder is provided with an enlargement 18 along one side thereof which is machined to present a flat smooth face similar to the face 12 of the frame and which engages the face 12 of the framein assembly. The frame 11 is provided with a bearing 19 therein which receives a stud or trunnion 2O fixed'to and projecting from the fiat side 18 of the cylinder 15, the stud being retainedin operative position in the bearing 19 by means of a nut 21 and washer 22.

A piston 25 is mounted for reciprocatory movement in the oscillating cylinder 15 and is rigidly secured to one end of a connecting rod 26, the other end of which is pivotally connected to a crank 27 fixed to the shaft 28.

:lhe shaft 28 is rotatably journaled in bearings 29 formed on. the base 10 and is driven y from an electric motor 20 by means of suitable gearing such as belt gearing3l, the belt port provided in the oscillating cylinder as I will be hereinafter more fully described.

In all embodiments of the invention a flexible pipe or conduit 36 is connected with the working chamber of the oscillating cylinder through the intake port so that the movement of the piston of the cylinder induce a movement of air in the pipe 36 effective to column of is the or at certain times a vacuum or rarefacti on therein. If movement of the column is produced it' preferably comprises a pulsation. The outer end of the flexible pipe 36 carries a cupped applicator 37 preferably constructed of rubber or other flexible material and which contacts with the body of the patient and provides for the action of the moving column of air or of therarefaction of air thereof on the patlent.

In the form of the invention shown 1n Fignre' d'the valve block is provided with a rectilinear intake port 39 and a rectilinear exhaust port 40 spaced from the intake port 39 and the cylinder 15 is provided with a port 11 which periodically registers with the intake port and with the exhaust port, the

cylinder registering with the intake poi-t, on

the intake stroke of the piston 25 and registering with the exhaust port on the exhaust stroke of the piston. In this embodiment, the flexible pipe is connected with the intake port by means of a valved connection 42 and communicates with the working chamber of the pulsator only through the intake port, the exhaust port leading to the atmosphere. In the operation of this embodiment, the intake stroke of the piston 25 produces a rarefaction of the air in the flexible pipe since the port 41 of the piston registers with the port 39 on this intake stroke. On the exhaust stroke of the piston 25 the port 41 of the cylinder comes into registry with the exhaust port 41 and is out of registry with the intake port, the air in the cylinder which had been taken from the flexible pipe being exhausted into the atmosphere through the exhaust port 41. In this form of the invention when the applicator is placed in contact with the patients body, the body of the patient is subjected to a series of suctions which not only move the tissues and other substances making up that portion of the body but which induces a flow or the blood and the other vital fluids thereby bringing about proper circulation and consequent nourishment and upbuilding of that part of the body.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 5, the valve block is provided with an in take port designated at 44, which communicates with the flexible pipe by means of a coupling 45. An exhaust port 46 is also provided and may be open to the atmosphere or may be closed by a plug 47. The face of the valve block is provided with a roove 48 which leads from the intake port to a point adjacent the exhaust port. The oscillating cylinder is provided with a port, designated at 49 which is adapted to register with the intake port 44, the groove 48 and the exhaust port 46, so that the flexible pipe that communicates with the working chamber of the cylinder not only during the intake stroke but also for the interval of the exhaust stroke, the communication between the flexible pipe and the working chamber during an interval of the exhaust stroke being attained by means of the groove 48 which registers with the port of the cylinder after the cylinder port has moved out of registry with the intake port. In operation of this form oi: the invention, the body of the patient with which the applicator contacts is subjected to a series of suctions and an alternate series of impulses, the impulses being somewhat lighter and somewhat less sustained than the suctions since the fluid making up the impulses must pass through the groove 48 and since the groove 48 is not in registry with the port of the cylinder during the entire exhaust stroke.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6, the valve block is provided with an intake or inlet port 50 and an exhaust port 51 and the working chamber is provided with a port 51 adapted to periodically and successively register with these parts. The flexible pipe 36 is connected with both or": these ports at all times by means of a connection 53. In the operation of this form of the invention the reciprocation of the piston of the pulsator produces a pulsation of the column of air in the pipe 36 since the col umn of air in this pipe is influenced by the piston during both the intake and the ex haust strokes. It is to be noted that the pulsation of the column of air in the pipe 36 lags behind the movement of the piston due to the bridge 54 of the valve block and that there is an interval between the suction and impulse periods thus giving a sustained ei feet to both the suction and the impulse. In tie operation or". this embodiment when the applicator is placed in contact with the patients body it subjects the body to a series of suctions and an alternate series of impulses, the suctions and the impulses being of equal value and there being an appreciable interval between each suction and impulse in order that each may have itseffect upon the body.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 'Z, the valve block is provided with an intake port 55 and an angular exhaust port 56 which communicates with the intake port, the intake port being connected with the flexible pipe by means of the coupling 57. The working cylinder 55 is provided with a port 58 adapted to periodically register with the intake and exhaust ports. In this form of the invention as in the form shown in Figure 6, there is a pulsation of the column of air in the pipe 36 and the operation is precisely the same, the only dif 'Ference being in the construction of the valve block which eliminates the provision of the specially constructed coupling for the flexible pipe.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a frame having a smooth flat face and provided with a bearing, an oscillating cylinder having one side enlarged and provided with a smooth flat face engaging the smooth flat face of the frame, a stud fixed to the cylinder and operating in the bearing of the frame, a piston operating in said cylinder, a valve block carried by the frame and having a flat face engaged by the cylinder, said valve block having an intake and an exhaust port therein, said oscillating cylinder having a port therein adapted to successively register with the ports of the cylinder, a pipe connected with the intake port of the valve block and an applicator carried by said pipe.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a base, a frame carried by said base, an oscillating cylinder carried by said frame, a valve block carried by the frame, said valve block having a port therein, said cylinder having a port adapted to periodically register with the port of the valve block, a piston Working in said cylinder, a bearing carried by said base, a shaft journaled in said bearing, a motor for driving said shaft, a crank carried by said shaft and a connecting rod having one end pivotally connected to said crank and the other end rigidly connected to said piston, a flexible pipe connected with the port of the valve block and an applicator carried by the pipe.

S. In an apparatus of the character described, a base, a frame carried by said base, an oscillating cylinder carried by said frame, a valve block carried by the frame, said valve block having a port therein, said cylinder having a port adapted to periodically register with the port of the valve block, bearing carried by said base, a shaft journaled in said bearing, a motor for driving said shaft, and a crank carried by said shaft and a connecting rod having one end pivotally connected to said crank and the other end rigidly connected to said piston.

4:. In an apparatus of the character described, an oscillating cylinder, a piston Working in said cylinder, a stationary valve block cooperable with said cylinder and hava piston working in said cylinder, at

ing a port therein, said cylinder having a port adapted to periodically register with the port of the valve block, a flexible pipe carried by said stationary valve block and communicating With the port thereof, and an applicator carried by said flexible pipe.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, comprising an oscillating cylinder, a piston Working therein, a valve block cooperable With said cylinder and having an intake and exhaust port, a flexible pipe coinmunicating with said intake and exhaust ports and an applicator carried by said pipe.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, an oscillating cylinder, a piston Working therein, a stationary valve block cooperable with said cylinder and having intake and exhaust ports, a flexible pipe carried by said stationary valve block and communicating with said ports, and an applicator carried by said pipe.

7 In an apparatus of the character described, an oscillating cylinder, a piston Working therein, a valve block cooperable with said cylinder and having ports therein, said valve block having a groove in one of said ports leading toward the other of said ports, said cylinder having a port adapted to register with the ports and the groove of the valve block, a flexible pipe connected with the valve block and an applicator carried by the pipe.

JOHN GABNETT STEPHENSON. FRED W. NUERWELL. 

